Maria McCannBBC News NI north east reporter

DAERA A seal is lying on rocks. It has a large black tube stuck on its neck. Other seals are beside it.DAERA

Exploris Aquarium say there are reports that the seal has had the tubing around its neck for months

A seal spotted on Rathlin Island with black piping around its neck is being monitored by officials.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it is visiting the island to check on the animal every fortnight but it is currently assessed as being “healthy and alert”.

It was first reported to Exploris Aquarium in August but head keeper Euan Morrison said there are some reports that the seal has had the tubing around it for months.

“We have seen the seal for the last five weeks or so, and have been monitoring it over that time. We think it’s had that issue for quite a lot longer than that, possibly as far back as last summer,” he told BBC News NI.

He said there are several challenges in trying to remove it.

“We could look at darting them and trying to catch it but if we do that it’s going to disappear in the water. It won’t end well for the seal if it falls asleep out there,” Mr Morrison said.

Euan Morrison, a young man wearing a blue Exploris Aquarium polo shirt, stands to the left of frame while facing the camera. The background is blurred but the sky, trees and a rocky water feature can be seen.

Exploris Aquarium head keeper, Euan Morrison, says the seal has been assessed as being healthy

Mr Morrison said those looking to catch the seal would need to “more or less” jump on it, which would require being very close.

“At the moment, it looks far too fit and healthy, it’s sat at the edge of the water,” he said.

“We’re not going to get within a couple of hundred metres of it, never mind get hands on it.”

Mr Morrison said this is good news as despite the piping the seal looks “really healthy”.

“It’s showing all the signs we really want to see; head up, tail up, it looks nice and fat,” he said.

The keeper said the seal appeared to be hunting well and it had not shown any signs of slowing down, despite the tube.

DAERA A herd of seals are sitting on rocks beside the ocean. One has large black tubing over its neck. One has its eyes closed.DAERA

Daera are liaising with Exploris on potential intervention options “when the situation allows”

A Daera spokesperson said they are “liaising closely with Exploris on potential intervention options when the situation allows”.

“Exploris have assessed the seal as being healthy and alert which, combined with the presence of other seals in close proximity, makes any intervention measures difficult to implement without causing a wider disturbance to the colony which could result in injuries.”

Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and have urged members of the public to notify them of further sightings.